Reps: Healing BISD is priority, we support state takeover

By Sarah Moore

Published 9:04 am, Thursday, February 20, 2014

Photo: Guiseppe Barranco, Photo Editor

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Evan Smith, far left, moderates the Texas Tribune's open conversation of state representatives at Lamar University on Tuesday. From right, James White, Allan Ritter and Joe Deshotel discuss state issues.
Photo taken Wednesday, February 20, 2014
Guiseppe Barranco/@spotnewsshooter less

Evan Smith, far left, moderates the Texas Tribune's open conversation of state representatives at Lamar University on Tuesday. From right, James White, Allan Ritter and Joe Deshotel discuss state issues.
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Photo: Guiseppe Barranco, Photo Editor

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From left, Joe Deshotel, Allan Ritter and James White discuss state issues during the Texas Tribune's open discussion at Lamar University on Wednesday.
Photo taken Wednesday, February 20, 2014
Guiseppe Barranco/@spotnewsshooter less

From left, Joe Deshotel, Allan Ritter and James White discuss state issues during the Texas Tribune's open discussion at Lamar University on Wednesday.
Photo taken Wednesday, February 20, 2014
Guiseppe ... more

Photo: Guiseppe Barranco, Photo Editor

Image 3 of 4

Evan Smith, far left, moderates the Texas Tribune's open conversation of state representatives at Lamar University on Tuesday. From right, James White, Allan Ritter and Joe Deshotel discuss state issues.
Photo taken Wednesday, February 20, 2014
Guiseppe Barranco/@spotnewsshooter less

Evan Smith, far left, moderates the Texas Tribune's open conversation of state representatives at Lamar University on Tuesday. From right, James White, Allan Ritter and Joe Deshotel discuss state issues.
Photo ... more

Photo: Guiseppe Barranco, Photo Editor

Image 4 of 4

Evan Smith, far left, moderates the Texas Tribune's open conversation of state representatives at Lamar University on Tuesday. From right, James White, Allan Ritter and Joe Deshotel discuss state issues.
Photo taken Wednesday, February 20, 2014
Guiseppe Barranco/@spotnewsshooter less

Evan Smith, far left, moderates the Texas Tribune's open conversation of state representatives at Lamar University on Tuesday. From right, James White, Allan Ritter and Joe Deshotel discuss state issues.
Photo ... more

Photo: Guiseppe Barranco, Photo Editor

Reps: Healing BISD is priority, we support state takeover

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State Rep. Joe Deshotel said Wednesday he would support a state takeover of the Beaumont school district if the education commissioner thought it was in BISD's best interests and said he and state Rep. Allan Ritter would be involved in the selection of a diverse board of managers if that happens.

Deshotel (D-Beaumont), Ritter (R-Nederland) and James White (R-Woodville) participated in a "conversation" at Lamar on Wednesday organized by The Texas Tribune online newspaper to discuss issues legislators will face in the 83rd legislative session, including immigration, water management, health care and funding for education.

During a question-and-answer session after a conversation led by moderator Evan Smith, Beaumont City Council member Mike Getz said BISD is the "No. 1 issue" he hears about from constituents and asked if Deshotel supported a takeover by the Texas Education Agency.

Deshotel said if Commissioner Michael Williams decides in favor of a takeover, he and Ritter would be involved in the selection of a diverse board of managers.

Deshotel and Ritter both said healing BISD's rifts was a high priority.

"Unity in the community is the biggest issue we have," Deshotel said.

"We want our area unified," Ritter said. "Beaumont is so very important to Southeast Texas."